Israeli Traffic Law Clarifies Mobile Phone Use While Driving

Israeli traffic law regarding mobile phone use while driving can be confusing for many drivers, with uncertainty about what actions are permissible and what could result in a ticket. Attorney Noa Ben Uri, specializing in traffic law, clarified common scenarios in an interview on Instagram.

According to Ben Uri, holding a phone while stopped at a red light is generally not enforced. However, the rules differ when the phone is in a fixed mount. The law permits touching the phone and answering calls when it is mounted. Conversely, simply holding the phone while driving can lead to a ticket, even if no call or text is being made. Moving the phone around in the car while driving is also prohibited.

Reading messages, such as WhatsApp, is forbidden even when the phone is in a mount. Filming a video while driving can be considered a phone offense, especially if combined with other violations like carelessness. Ben Uri also stated that a police officer does not need to photograph a driver holding a phone for a ticket to be valid. A conviction can be based solely on the officer's testimony, without photographic or video evidence.

Even brief handling of the phone, lasting only a few seconds, can result in a ticket. This includes picking up a dropped phone while driving. The key takeaway is that the offense is not limited to talking or texting; even short interactions with the device can have legal consequences depending on the specific circumstances.